Being SuccessfulBest Practices for Increasing Sales and Profits by Richard Voreis

This is the first in a series of articles I’ll be writing
for USGlass magazine focusing on useful ideas that can increase glass
company sales, profits and overall company performance. Let’s start with
how to be more successful in challenging times.

In today’s challenging times, companies need to be focused
on conducting business in ways that will maximize sales, profits and ultimately
bring about the following:

• Happy and loyal customers … who return for repeat business;
• Happy and empowered employees …who are career oriented; and
• Happy and satisfied owners … who achieve their financial goals.

Knowing What Works

I was asked by the USGlass magazine to write these “Best
Practices” articles because my consulting firm provides a broad range
of consulting services to glass and glazing subcontractors, general contractors
and others in the building construction industry. We have worked with
dozens and dozens of glass and glazing subcontractors. We continually
see best practices and we are constantly up-to-date on what works and
what doesn’t work in your type of business. We pass this insight along
to our clients so they learn in the shortest period of time and through
the easiest way. Rarely does any business have this type of exposure. Additionally,
these best practices are continuously being updated by our constant exposure
to many glass and glazing subcontractors on a national basis.

Sharing Ideas

The theme of our discussions is how to be more successful
in challenging times. We’ll talk about business development, management
tools and tips, strategic planning, new opportunities, employee development
and related topics of your choice. You can respond to my articles, as
well as ask for specific topics. Don’t limit your thinking or hold back
on your creativity no matter how unconventional or non-traditional.

As we share our thoughts, I’ll share many best practices
with you, as well as other initiatives that contribute to achieving a
successful glass and glazing company. As we know, the current economy
continues to present serious challenges for all of us. We can either accept
reality or we can do something about it.

Best practices fact:

Doing nothing other than what you have traditionally done
should not be an option. Continuing to do the same things will get the
same results. Change is good and change is necessary in order to be successful
on a continuing basis.

Overall, our focus will be on new and different approaches
to conducting business, as well as how you can achieve positive results
that impact your bottom line, motivate your employees and make customers
want to do business with you. This may require you to embrace the unconventional
or non-traditional ways of doing business. So, keep an open mind.

Change is Good

We have found that companies that hold on to fond memories
of their past success and constantly emulate them as they address the
future are in trouble. Successful companies appreciate those fond memories.
But at the same time, look for ways to change as a springboard for continuous
improvement. Stability does not come from not changing; it comes from
continually reassessing what works and what doesn’t work anymore and then
discarding or improving it. Embrace change, because standing still is
just another way of falling behind.

I think that bears repeating. Embrace change, because standing
still is just another way of falling behind.

With these thoughts in mind, I’ve got a thought-provoking
question to ask: What are you doing differently to not just survive, but
to succeed to the fullest? I’d really like to hear from you, so please
share your thoughts with me.